Ethos Equality Fund

The Ethos Equality Fund (EEF) was launched in February 2012 and is the Boston area’s first fund solely dedicated to supporting aging lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgenders (LGBTs) and their support circles.

The establishment of the EEF marked a significant step-forward for equality for older LGBTs and will enhance the quality of their lives life through the development, implementation, and expansion of programs, services, and activities for them and their caregivers.

As Boston’s first not-for-profit organization dedicated solely to keeping frail elders at home, Ethos recognized that few groups age with more challenges than LGBTs. Less likely to be partnered, more likely to be childless and too often estranged from their own families, LGBTs face significant barriers to healthy aging. Isolation, depression, substance abuse, and suicide are major risks.

History

As Boston’s first not-for-profit organization dedicated solely to keeping frail elders at home, Ethos recognized that few groups age with more challenges than LGBTs. Less likely to be partnered, more likely to be childless and too often estranged from their own families, LGBTs face significant barriers to healthy aging. Isolation, depression, substance abuse, and suicide are major risks.

A co-founder of the LGBT Aging Project, Ethos has been the leader among mainstream aging services organizations in the state in educating direct health care providers and caregivers in health systems and long-term care facilities about the specific difficulties facing LBGT Elders. The EEF is a way of supporting the Aging Project as well. Ethos is proud of our accomplishments in helping LGBTs age with dignity and respect, and we’ve addressed LGBT issues in a number of ways as a groundbreaker, namely:

The first eldercare agency in the state to attend LGBT staff training,

The first to open LGBT-friendly elder lunch sites,

The first to offer LGBT-friendly volunteers, and

The first to host support groups for LGBT caregivers, as well as those grieving the loss of loved ones.

Unmet Needs

Much more support is desperately needed, including:

More venues for older LGBTs to socialize and learn,

More support for stressed-out and grieving LGBT caregivers,

More LGBT-trained homecare aides and personal care attendants,

More support for LGBTs aging with HIV/ AIDS, and

More safe LGBT-affirming housing opportunities.

Accomplishments

The Ethos Equality Fund has already enabled us to expand our community cafes for LGBTs. The Out2Brunch café in Roslindale for older lesbians and bisexual and transwomen will increase their meetings to twice a month, and we’re launching a new venue in Jamaica Plain called Out4Supper for all LGBT elders in the Greater Boston area. These venues are in addition to the popular Café Emmanuel at Emmanuel Church in Boston, which has been hosting gay men for lunch once a week since 2005._

Get Involved

Sponsorships and support from the community will help us sustain the Ethos Equality Fund. For more information about how you or your organization can help support the Ethos Equality Fund, please visit our website at click here or call 617.522.6700._

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Ethos

Our Mission

Ethos is a private, not-for-profit organization that promotes the independence, dignity, and well-being of the elderly and disabled. Ethos achieves its mission through the coordination and delivery of high-quality, affordable home and community-based care. In all aspects of its work Ethos supports family caregiving, fosters social interaction and respects cultural diversity.

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